X Factor star Liam Payne back on the streets of Wolverhampton

He is the X Factor heart-throb who has won an army of teenage fans up and down the country. But home is where the heart is for Liam Payne.

The teenager jumped at the chance to take time out from his new celebrity lifestyle and return back to Wolverhampton to catch up on his old life.

And, despite rubbing shoulders with music's biggest stars now being part of his daily routine, there were no diva demands from the singer during his home-coming.

He fitted in a trip yesterday to his old school, St Peter's Collegiate, shopping in Wolverhampton city centre and a meal at Frankie & Benny's.

The 17-year-old from Bushbury, who has more than 68,000 fans on Twitter, said: "It was nice just to have a bit of normality and just come back down to earth.

"It was my sister Ruth's 20th birthday so I came back to Wolverhampton and spent some time with my family.

"I went back to my old school and spoke to some of my old teachers and pupils and then I went shopping. Not many people noticed me. No-one knew I was going to be there.We went out for a meal at Frankie & Benny's at Merry Hill. More people noticed me there and lots of people came over for autographs and photographs."

Staff at Body Shop, in Dudley Street, were among the lucky fans to get a glimpse of the boyband star during his return home.

Assistant manager Alex Chance, aged 25, said Liam had been walking past the shop when workers inside spotted the star and asked if he would pose for a picture.

"He seemed quite grateful for the attention. The fame has not gone to his head yet.The girls were absolutely made up."

The teenager, part of boyband One Direction, was today travelling back to London with parents Geoff and Karen to get back to rehearsals ahead of Saturday's show.

"It's always so busy. It's really, really exciting though and I am getting to do lots of new stuff," he said.

Yesterday followed a recent trip to Eastfield Primary when Liam made an appearance to the delight of teachers and pupils.